Although intraoral dental x-rays are still the standard in evaluating individual teeth for decay, infection or fractures, cone beam technology is at the forefront of imaging for oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures.

 

    This technology allows the surgeon to obtain much more information than the traditional tow dimensional x-rays. The scans can be used to more accurately plan and place dental implants as well as treat a variety of other conditions. This increased precision may increase patient safety and the predictability of procedures.

 

    The dental cone beam scanner obtains a three dimensionally accurate image of a patients’ anatomy. This is the same type of information obtained with a traditional medical CAT scan but with much less radiation.   The 20 to 40 second scan is taken while the patient is comfortably seated in a chair and is similar to having a traditional panoramic dental x-ray. Once the scan is loaded into the computer the images may be manipulated to view the patients’ anatomy from every angle. The measurements taken from the images are also anatomically accurate.

 

    The images can also be reconstructed to obtain exact three dimensional replicas of a patients’ anatomy.  This can give a much better assessment of the clinical situation when determining how best to reconstruct defects from tooth loss, infection or trauma. When planning for dental implants a virtual model can be fabricated from the images and in some cases virtual surgery can be performed prior to ever performing a procedure on a patient. This information can be transferred to a CAD/CAM model of the patient and a
surgical guide can be made that allows exact duplication of the virtual surgery. This accuracy of dental implant placement may allow for a more conservative procedure.

 

    Cone beam technology has many other uses including helping to diagnose pathology of the face and jaws, evaluate trauma, diagnose orthodontic abnormalities and evaluate wisdom teeth. The information obtained from the scan is invaluable in surgical treatment planning, increasing safety, predictability and comfort for patients.